The Pitt Panthers and Kent State Golden Flashes meet in week 1 college football action from Acrisure Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pitt vs Kent State Prediction.
Can Kent State Keep This Game Close?
In the last couple of years, any good player that has ended up at Kent State usually gets picked off later, and there are some real concerns about how good or bad this team is going to be this year. Last season, Kent State really struggled to move the ball, but they hope one of the quarterbacks this year is going to be better.
Tommy Ulatowski is back after throwing seven touchdowns last year, and he’s going to compete with Troy transfer JD Sherrod for the starting job. The good news for whoever is under center is he will have some weapons out wide. Chrishon McGray is better than the stats from last year might show, and if this offense can’t move the ball, it’s on the quarterback.
The defense wasn’t good last year for Kent State, and the good talent they did have is mostly gone. Stephen Daley and Oliver Billotte are back on the ends and both are going to need to have some big seasons here. In this game, the defense is going to need to try to force a turnover or two.
Pitt Has to Be Better Than 2023
2023 was a horrible year for the Pitt Panthers, finishing with a 3-9 record, and it’s going to be hard for them to be much worse here. The biggest problem for Pitt was moving the ball with the offense, and they need to find a way to improve.
The team has a new offensive coordinator in Kade Bell, and many believe he’s the guy to turn it around. Nate Yarnell and Eli Holstein are both options at quarterback. Whoever is under center will have the leading receiver back in Kontata Mumpfield who found the end zone five times last season.
On defense, there is confidence, but they did lose a couple of key players in Dayon Hayes and Samuel Okunlolo to Colorado. Nate Matlack is in from Kansas State, and he’s going to need to be a big impact player.
Why Pitt Will Beat Kent State
- Kent State has lost each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Pittsburgh has won each of its last nine season openers as a favorite.
- Kent State has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine games.
- Pittsburgh has covered the spread in each of its last three games at Acrisure Stadium.
Pitt vs Kent State Prediction
This might be the only game this season where I feel it’s smart to lay 24 points with Pitt, but they are going to find success in the first game of the season. I don’t trust either of the quarterbacks for Kent State and moving the ball is going to be a huge problem for them.
Pitt is going to have no issue moving the ball against the Golden Flashes defense, and Pitt is going to come away from this game with a lot of confidence. Pitt wins this game by at least 35 points. Back Pitt against the spread.